Blackhawks acquire Frolik and Salak from Florida

The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired forward Michael Frolik (fro-LEEK) and goaltender Alexander Salak (suh-LAHK) from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jack Skille, Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan.

Frolik, 22, is a veteran of 213 regular-season games over three National Hockey League seasons with Florida. He ranks second on the Panthers this season with 21 assists and 29 points (8G, 21A) in 52 regular-season tilts this year, which includes pacing the club in helpers (16) and points (22) at even-strength. He has finished as one of Florida’s Top-3 goal scorers, and Top-5 point producers, in each of his first two NHL seasons.

Originally selected in the first round (10th overall) of the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Kladno, Czech Republic, native has registered 117 points (50G, 67A) and 81 penalty minutes over his three-year NHL career.

Salak, 24, currently leads all netminders in the Swedish Elite League with a .925 save percentage and six shutouts, and ranks sixth with a 2.04 GAA in 41 tilts with Farjestad BK.

The Strakonice, Czech Republic, native made his North American debut last season, being honored as an American Hockey League All-Star in the midst of compiling a 29-14-0 record and a .910 save percentage over 50 games with the AHL’s Rochester Americans. He also made his National Hockey League debut, stopping 34-of-40 shots in two relief appearances with the Panthers.

Skille, 23, has posted 17 points (7G, 10A) and 25 penalty minutes in 49 games with the Blackhawks this season. The Madison, Wisconsin, native has appeared in 79 regular-season tilts with Chicago over parts of the last four seasons, notching 12 goals and 13 assists.

Jessiman, 26, has netted three goals and two assists in 25 games with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs this year, his first in the Blackhawks organization. Originally selected 12th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers, Jessiman has appeared in 341 regular-season AHL tilts over parts of six seasons with Hartford (2005-08), Milwaukee (2008-10) and Rockford.

Pacan, 19, has recorded 43 points (14G, 29A) in 47 tilts with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League this season. The Blackhawks’ sixth selection (177th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Pacan spent the 2009-10 campaign at the University of Vermont.